Background context shows significant shifts in Manchester United’s football operations following the involvement of Ineos, which acquired a minority stake and began implementing broader changes across the club. One notable change saw Nick Cox leave United after nine years of service, including six as head of the academy, to take up a role as technical director at Everton in 2025. Cox helped oversee the development of 35 players who made senior debuts and contributed to an FA Youth Cup triumph. He has since been succeeded by Stephen Torpey, who previously collaborated with Jason Wilcox at Manchester City.
Tom Curtis, who has built considerable experience within United’s youth setup, is understood to be in line to join Everton. Curtis previously stepped in as the U21s caretaker coach when Darren Fletcher briefly took charge of the first team following Ruben Amorim’s dismissal in January. He later served as head of player development for United’s U13s and U16s after joining in November 2024. Curtis also spent a decade working in various youth development roles within the FA, giving him a broad background in player progression and coaching at different age groups.
If the move goes ahead, Curtis would become the first United employee to reunite with Nick Cox at Everton, highlighting the importance of established professional networks in football and the potential for cross-club collaborations in youth development and coaching staff.
In related developments, discussions continue around the permanent appointment of Adam Lawrence as the head coach of United’s U21s. Lawrence returned to United after a stint with Newcastle United, where the experience did not unfold as planned. The U21s head coach role became vacant when Travis Binnion stepped up to join the first-team coaching staff, where he is now working alongside Michael Carrick.
Overall, the potential Curtis–Cox collaboration at Everton underscores the ongoing evolution of coaching personnel in English football, with clubs looking to leverage experienced staff to enhance youth development pipelines and senior team readiness. The situation remains fluid, with official confirmations anticipated in the near term.
